Rajiv Malhotra is an author of great intensity, intellectual scholarship, contemporary wisdom and supreme patriotism. His books are hard hitting commentaries on dangers lurking behind to weaken India’s position in the global order. In this most recent book, Malhotra picks the most talked about technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) (and other modern technologies) and imaginatively portrays five battlegrounds which India should be aware of, if it wishes to pursue an ambitious course to attain global leadership in AI and harness it towards creating wealth and welfare for the nation. This scholarly
and deeply researched book takes a much-needed devil’s advocate approach to make powerful points and succeeds in communicating its message through a gripping narrative. Himself a distinguished expert in physics and computer science, Malhotra lends excellent credibility to the book with his impeccable command over the issues addressed in the book.
Malhotra uses the phrase Artificial Intelligence to refer to a whole gamut of
modern technologies sweeping across the globe: machine learning, big data analytics, data science, quantum computing, semiconductor technologies, nanotechnology, neuromorphic computing, robotics, 5G, smart manufacturing, and the like. He acknowledges these are distinct but AI brings them together in ways that give them a greater collective power.
The book has two parts to it: (1) Algorithm versus Being, (2) Battleground for India. Four battlegrounds are discussed in part 1: (a) The battle for jobs (chapter

2), (b) The battle for world domination (chapter 3), (c) The battle for agency
(chapter 4), (d) The battle for self (chapter 5). The final battle ‘The battle for
India’ constitutes part 2 of the book which comprises chapters 6 to 10.
Before launching compelling arguments for each battleground, Malhotra
provides an excellent overview of AI technologies in chapter 1; he first discusses fundamental advances such as machine learning, data analytics, and AI gadgets. Next he discusses AI applications ranging from healthcare and agriculture to education, military and financial services. Then, he touches upon the controversial issues surrounding AI such as (un)fairness, (lack of) accountability, (lack of) transparency, and (questionable) ethics. The remarkable aspect of chapter 1 is its ready accessibility to non-technical audience who have no familiarity with AI. This is a striking aspect of the entire book. Malhotra’s main argument is that AI has disrupted the equilibrium that existed in the global order in (1) economic development and jobs; (2) power and influence of nations; (3) human psychology; and (4) metaphysics. He calls each of these battlegrounds. The author sketches
out these battlefields in a systematic and comprehensive way, with an eye on every single detail. These battlegrounds have always existed but they were operating under a delicate equilibrium. AI has changed the game dramatically and the equilibrium is being dislodged leading to a chaotic state. A new equilibrium will inevitably be established and India
has to be fully aware of the forces at play and proactively shape its strategy in a brilliant and deeply technical way and invest massive resources to emerge as a leading global player. Countries like China and USA are furiously competing to shaping the new equilibrium and India may be left behind in a miserable way if it does not get its act together in a superfast mode. The book raises and deliberates upon many fundamental questions:
• There is a high probability that AI could trigger an unprecedented level of unemployment leading to social divide and instability, especially in a highly populous nation like India. How will India survive this tsunami which has already started hitting the country?

• With some countries investing massive resources into AI and modern technologies, will India be left far behind in the race despite its vast pool of young talent and how can this looming crisis be tackled?

• AI has started influencing human preferences, human emotions and human behaviour by accessing private data of individuals by offering popular and widely used services. Will this lead us to become slaves of technology with the control being transferred completely to technology
giants?

• Will AI lead to ‘digital dehumanisation’ by undermining the human concepts of free will and creativity in favour of artificially induced experiences? The above questions may appear to be hyperbolic but Malhotra presents them with deeply logical arguments and these questions cannot be dismissed at all. They are indeed questions that need to be debated fiercely, widely and scientifically to obtain a clear resolution and plan of action. The author is at his best in part 2 where he touches upon all issues underlying the battleground for India. He is really concerned that overpopulation, unemployment and poor education will make India especially vulnerable in the near future when technology giants will launch an onslaught to take control. Many of India’s industries still rely on and are over dependent on old and imported technologies. The developments in AI in India are subcritical and do not do justice to India’s vast potential. India
is seriously lagging behind USA and China in AI by at least a decade and the country is giving away its precious data assets to foreign countries. If the present trend continues, India will be left far behind and will find it impossible to catch up in the foreseeable future. The author even goes on to say that India could well end up as a ‘digital colony’ under the domination of AI superpowers like USA and China. The author exhorts India to wake up, scale up and move brilliantly to become a global superpower in AI.
This little book review captures only briefly the spirit of this superb and powerpacked offering from Malhotra. The book is timed perfectly – it raises technical, tactical, operational and strategic issues in nurturing AI and emerging technologies